Hi! My name is Taylor Cunningham, and I am from Omaha, Nebraska. Ever since I was a kid, I learned to love the outdoors through all sorts of activities. I served for nine years in the U.S. Navy as an airborne sensor operator, with most of that time being stationed in Whidbey Island, Washington. Living in the Pacific Northwest was the perfect place for me to enjoy the outdoors with camping, fishing, and hunting. It also helped me develop a greater passion for fish and wildlife, leading myself to pursue a career in that field. I graduated in 2021 from the University of Colorado-Boulder with a bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Geography and am very excited to finally move forward with my career. I decided to become a Mt. Adams Institute Intern because it seemed to offer so many different things that other internships did not. Specifically, their experience in working with veterans creates a unique environment where everyone shares an understanding of their background and how different it can be from the normal civilian workforce. From the conversation I had with those from Mt. Adams, I knew I had to apply. My position is as a Fish and Wildlife Technician in Juneau, Alaska. I am excited for the opportunity to work with all kinds of different species, from salmon to brown bears. The diversity of wildlife that I will be working with help build many different skills that are needed in wildlife biology, all while living in beautiful Alaska.